“22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.”
— Romans 3:22-24 (NLT)
BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY:
“Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.” – Isaiah 55:7
VERSE OF THE DAY
July 15
James 1:12
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live
God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light!
Genesis 1:3 NET
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
There is a reason that all the best stories end with a bride and groom living happily ever after: it is the one true story in the universe. At the end, Jesus Christ will fulfill his vows to his church, “All that I am, I give to you, and all that I have I share with you.” The glorious fullness of God will be ours forever, and we will find unending delight in our husband. This was his great purpose from the beginning of all things. Edwards writes,
The creation of the world seems to have been especially for this end, that the eternal Son of God might obtain a spouse, towards whom he might fully exercise the infinite benevolence of his nature, and to whom he might, as it were, open and pour forth all that immense fountain of condescension, love and grace that was in his heart, and that in this way God might be glorified. 1
The final mention of the Lamb in the book of Revelation comes in chapter 21 when John is invited by an angel, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb” (v. 9). He is carried away by the Spirit to “a great, high mountain,” where he sees “the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel” (vv. 10–11). The Lamb on the throne has been married to the bride he purchased with his blood. Their new and heavenly marital city-home is indelibly inscribed with the names of his people (v. 14), the reward of his suffering. His work is finished, the union is complete, and his glorified bride is his forever. This had been his heart’s desire from the beginning (Song 2:10; Hos. 2:20). This was surely “the joy that was set before him,” which enabled him to endure the cross (Heb. 12:2).
Yes, the culmination of history is the glory of God. Not glory taken but glory given.The whole creation suffused with his light, his creatures filled and made happy in his goodness, his bride drenched eternally in his love. We, the redeemed, can only sing,
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing! (Rev. 5:12)To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever! (Rev. 5:13)
1. Jonathan Edwards, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, vol. 25,
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.
James 1:19 NET
“The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music. Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation! Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close. Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence. Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”
Psalms 27:1-14 NLT
July 09
19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!
“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.”
Psalms 1:1-6 NLT
Berean Christian 